Local news- Press Release
Kenosha County Wisconsin - Kenosha County Courthouse hosts Adoption Day event 20 May 2022 ( news )
Kenosha County , state Wisconsin ( By Press Release office)
May 20,2022
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Nate and Kathryn Hunter of Kenosha know all about patience , and how good things can come to people who wait .
They adopted their daughter , Isabelle , in September 2020 , in a process that was delayed several times due to the COVID - 19 pandemic and other factors .
On Friday afternoon , they finally had the chance to celebrate their family milestone in the company of many others , as Kenosha County resumed its annual Adoption Day festivities in the Courthouse .
“We didn’t get our Adoption Day — that’s why we’re here , ” said Nate Hunter , taking in the festivities among other recently expanded families .
Inspired by a similar event in Milwaukee County and launched locally by Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman in 2011 , Adoption Day is an opportunity for families that have completed the adoption process — some on that actual day — to gather in celebration and recognition of their achievement .
“This is always such a joyful occasion for all of the families , as well as the court staff and child advocates who help see them through the process , ” Kerkman said .
Coinciding with Friday’s event , 18 adoptions were completed in multiple court branches , involving roughly 10 families . ( Some families adopted multiple children . )
Because it was the first Adoption Day to be held in a few years , other families like the Hunters who had missed out on the celebration were also invited .
It all added up to a big party in the lower - level jury room at the Courthouse — complete with cookies , face painting and goodie - stuffed backpacks for adopted children and their siblings , supplied by the Jockey Being Family Foundation .
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman asked for a show of hands of families who had adopted that day , those who had adopted earlier , and those who are fostering children . She then thanked them all .
“It’s so wonderful to see these loving families together , ” the county executive said . “Foster families and those who adopt are truly our knights in shining armor , providing loving homes to these children . I am so very appreciative of all of you . ”
The Hunters’ journey through the process is a symbol of that compassion .
While they already had three biological children , Kathryn Hunter said she and her husband knew other families who were fostering and were moved by the desire to care for children who need help .
They began fostering in 2016 , and met Isabelle through that process not long after . After spending three years as a foster in their home , Isabelle’s adoption was finalized on Sept . 18 , 2020 . She was 3 when she arrived , 6 when she was adopted , and will turn 8 this July .
“We’re very happy , ” Kathryn Hunter said . “She’s great . Our big kids love her . It’s been a great experience . ”
Learn more:
More information about the foster care system in Kenosha County and how you can become a foster parent is available at
http://bit . ly/KCFoster
.
The Jockey Being Family Foundation , based in Kenosha , provides support to adoptive families locally and nationwide . More information is at
https://www . jockeybeingfamily . com
.
1HOPE is a local faith - based organization that facilitates a Foster Family Support Network . Learn more at
https://1hope . community
.
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